When Mo Niazi decided to attend Southern Nazarene University to pursue a degree in biochemistry, it wasn’t just the university’s stellar science program that he found appealing. Niazi was seeking a place where he not only could forge a strong educational foundation for his future, but he also seeking a place where he could grow spiritually and relationally as well.

“I felt like the conditions were all optimized to help increase my potential as a student,” explained Niazi. “I wanted to go to a school that had a nurturing environment that would allow me to reach my maximum potential to not only get into medical school, but also become the best doctor that I can be.”

Naizi, who is a junior at SNU, is attempting to pursue one of the most difficult degrees in the scientific and medical fields. Upon graduating from SNU, Naizi plans to attend four years of medical school and four years of graduate school so he obtain a MD-PhD degree, which will allow Naizi the opportunity to practice medicine and conduct research simultaneously.

“People that have a MD-PhD have a very versatile career path,” said Niazi. “I really enjoy exploring the frontiers of science; however, I also love patient interaction. I feel like I would be the happiest and be able to fulfill my potential with this degree.”

More importantly, the Oklahoma City resident feels that his current career path is the best way for him to help thekingdom of God. In fact, Naizi’s time at SNU has shown him that studying science is actually a form of worship to God. He feels that learning about the complexities of life is worship because he is gaining insight into how intricate our world is and how big God is.

Naizi also credits his professors who have been a tremendous help and encouragement to him during his first few years at SNU. Most of all, he has appreciated the way they have reached out to him to help him anytime he struggled with a course or when they spent additional time with him to ensure he understanding what he was learning.

“I would have never gotten to this point had it not been for the education I’ve received here at SNU and the great leadership,” he said.

Furthermore, Naizi is convinced that SNU was the right place for him to invest in his future because of the educational and spiritual foundation the university has helped instill within him that will help propel him to the next level.

“Going to college is a huge investment, so why not invest in something that’s high quality,” said Naizi.

Founded in 1899, Southern Nazarene University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university - a service of the Church of the Nazarene. Located on a 40-acre campus just west of Oklahoma City, SNU grew out of several small colleges committed to training people for service to God and their fellow man. More than 32,000 alumni work and serve throughout the United States and the world. Read More